US 4,569,780 A · Cast detergent-containing article and method of making and using

Abstract

Solid cast detergent-containing articles are produced for use in automatic washing machines. A liquid detergent composition is cast into a mold where it is allowed to solidify. The solid cast detergent, surrounded on all but its upper surface by the mold, is used in automatic washing machines having a dispensing device designed to dispense a liquid aqueous detergent formed from the solid cast detergent using an impinging liquid spray. The liquid aqueous detergent flows out of the dispensing device generally simultaneously with its formation in the dispenser. The cast detergent composition includes an alkaline hydratable chemical and optionally further includes one or more preformed cores or plugs comprising an available chlorine source, a defoamer, or the like.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A process for forming a three-dimensional, uniform solid cast detergent within a receptacle-shaped mold which comprises:

(a) heating about 20-75 parts by weight of a 40-75 weight percent aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide to about 55.degree. to 95.degree. C.;
(b) distributing an effective amount of a hardness sequestering agent and about 15-40 parts by weight of an alkaline hydratable chemical in said aqueous solution;
(c) thickening said solution, and mixing said solution during said thickening to form a castable uniform dispersion;
(d) pouring said uniform dispersion into said receptacle-shaped mold and at least partly filling said mold;
and
(e) allowing said thickened dispersion to solidify in said mold to a uniform, solid cast detergent wherein at least one surface of the cast detergent is exposed by the receptacle-shaped mold.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cast detergent-containing article and method of making and using

Life of this patent

Cast detergent-containing article and method of making and using

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36